When presenting as a woman, every detail matters — including your handbag!
The right bag can bring your whole outfit together and add that feminine touch, while the wrong one can throw off your look and even draw attention to areas you’d rather not highlight.
In this post, I’ll share some simple tips for crossdressers and trans women to help you find the perfect purse. Let’s explore the 6 key factors to consider when choosing a handbag.
1. Length
Length is an important and often overlooked detail. Your handbag accentuates the part of your body it falls next to, so keep these tips in mind:
- To make your hips look wider, choose a bag that falls at hip level.
- To make your waist look more shapely, choose a waist-length bag.
2. Shape
Handbags can range in shape from square and structured to soft and rounded. To provide balance, look for a bag with features that complement your body shape. For example:
- If you have a straight body shape, look for a slouchy or rounded bag to create the illusion of curves.
- If you’re on the heavier or rounded side, a more structured bag will flatter your features.
3. Size
Your handbag should work with your overall body proportions. If you’re tall and/or have a sturdy build, a tiny bag may appear out of place.
Conversely, if you’re petite, an oversized bag can overwhelm your frame. Opt for a bag that harmonizes perfectly with your proportions.
4. Style
A bag that’s too casual or too formal for the rest of your outfit is a common fashion faux pas. Study fashion magazines and blogs to learn which bags look best with specific outfits.
Pinterest is another fantastic resource for discovering bag-and-outfit combinations that can inspire your style.
5. Function
Your handbag should not only be stylish but also functional.
There’s nothing more frustrating than a small bag that can’t hold your essentials or constantly losing items in an overly large bag.
Ensure that the size and compartments of your bag suit your needs perfectly.
6. Color
Color is one of the most important handbag considerations. Here are two tips to keep in mind:
- Forget about the old rule to match your bag to your shoes. While your bag and shoes should coordinate, they don’t have to be an exact match.
- A black or brown bag will give you the most mileage, but don’t be afraid to try something different. Red, burgundy, forest green, and dark blue are surprisingly versatile handbag colors.
Let’s talk handbags!
As much as I love shoes, I might be even more obsessed with bags. That’s why my collection is constantly growing.
What about you? How many handbags do YOU own?
Take my poll and tell me about your favorite handbag in the comments below! Even better, share a photo of it with us!
Love,
Lucille
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P.S. If you liked this article, you will love my FREE Male to Female Transformation Mini Course.
Ah-h-h-h, bags! I have WAY too many. I do thin them out sometimes, however. And in spite of all that selection available, I usually use the same old plain functional Ameribag. I do like it, but it’s getting a bit worn. At least it’s black, so I can get away with it most of the time. On special occasions I will dig out a more stylish and appropriate bag, makes me feel good. But usually it’s hustle, hustle, grab the same old bag again, it’s already loaded up, and dash out the door. Almost everybody has the shoulder-slippy problem. Wearing it across your body works, but that’s often awkward, sometimes looks dumb, and needs a longer strap. There are performers, like magicians, who can guess whether a woman is right or left handed. If you are right handed, you usually carry your bag on your left shoulder, and to fight the slippy, you hunch that shoulder some. After a while, it gets built-in, and noticeable to someone who knows to look for it. We just have no secrets. Sigh…
Maybe a bit off topic but how did this “women’s only” thing as it relates to purses come about? If men had something to carry, they wouldn’t have to cram everything in their pockets sometimes tearing them, often smushing them out of shape! And what about men with…..shall I say, personal medical issues? Women can just stuff a few extra…..AHEM…..supplies in their purse. But what are men supposed to do? Archie Bunker’s S.I.L. had it right the other night when he brought this up!
I have about 25 bags (addicted lol) I tend to think a good thing to do is check out a celeb of a similar who you like. I picked Jennifer Aniston (we’re the same age) Anyway, I keep a file on my desktop of outfits I like & shop from these. Also, Polyvore is great (you can build styled looks) as well as pinterest, tons of ideas on there. For me, charity (thrift) shops are a godsend, & for the girls who are less passable (or in guy mode) you tend to find the staff are far less “judgy” than in the big chain stores
By the way, love your little tips Lucille x
* I meant “celeb of a similar build” 🙂
I just have a grey and brown shoulder bag it’s a cross shoulder/body shoulder bag . Slouchy a d soft . It’s strange because I never liked bags of kind because I my back and shoulders get sore . But this one is fine . Unfortunately I don’t get to wear or use it a lot which is something I regret .
That shoulder slipping problem is a bitch. Ciswomens shoulders seem to be a different shape as they never seem to have a problem with the bag slipping off their shoulder. How do we overcome this?
I love my handbags have different coulors for different outfits some a bit bigger than others but not to big even have a glittery one
Due to my long journey to find myself I have read all you have sent me I have been teetering between going forward or staying the same very informative I recently have been sidelined by a car accident have been 3 months in my mother in laws bedroom staying in her house because I can’t climb stairs yet all the pink and decor feels somforting to me going forward is scaring me thanks
Thank you for advice. I have never thought about the shape issue. I always have trouble carrying a bag on my shoulder. I always end up clutching it or even cinching up the straps. Guess it’s just me. What I would really like to know about is coats. I have such a problem with this. Choosing. Finding things that truly fit, as a result I end up doing things like wearing pretty dresses with a zip up hoodie and freezing in the winter. I just don’t know how to do it. I wear down coats that are kind of unisex when it’s really cold.
You must try stuff on. If you don’t go shopping dressed there are two solutions.
1. Just carry it to the men’s dressing room and try it on in private or
2. Take it home and dress. If it doesn’t fit take it back and get another size.
I do try things on that’s not the point I just meant it’s an awkward fashion piece. Things may look beautiful then when you put on a coat it ruins it.